It just wasn’t enough, which is often the case when a Padres starter gives up three or more runs.

But no one heard Suppan complaining.

Last year at this time – in fact for the entire 2011 season – Suppan was pitching for Omaha of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League. Less than a month ago, Suppan was struggling to get outs for the Padres’ Tucson entry of the PCL, where his ERA after two abbreviated starts was 12.15.

After three starts with the Padres, Suppan is 2-1 and his ERA is a glowing 1.69.

Yet, Suppan says he hasn’t given much thought about what it means to him to be back in the major leagues.

“I’ve always had the same foundation,” he said Sunday afternoon. “Change speeds, keep the ball down, avoid damage . . . sometimes I’ve been successful. But I pretty much live in the present, batter to batter, pitch to pitch. I have to think short term.

“After the season is over, maybe I’ll think about all the other stuff.”

Then he smiled again.

Suppan’s been thinking about all the other stuff -- the fact that his career has been resurrected with the Padres after most players caught in his predicament last year would have retired rather than returned for a full season in the minor leagues.

“He’s relishing every moment,” said Padres manager Bud Black of Suppan. “He has a great perspective of what it means to be in the big leagues. He’s cherishing every day and not taking anything for granted.

“He loves the game and enjoys being part of a team. He’s competitive. He understands where he is in the game.”

Suppan said he never lost the belief that he could pitch in the major leagues, which must have been difficult this spring when the thought of returning seemed to be fading further away. A strained triceps muscle had Suppan staying behind at the Padres training facility in Peoria when the rest of the organization split town to start the season.

“I’m not one to easily give up,” Suppan said recently.

He could have quickly thrown in the towel Sunday.

The first hitter Suppan faced, Jimmy Rollins, drove the fifth pitch Suppan threw into the right field stands for a quick 1-0 Phillies lead. With Hamels dealing and the Padres struggling at the plate, the road ahead seemed long – particularly in light of Suppan’s 8.59 ERA in past outings at Citizens Bank Park.